Caps add size, experience

Acquire 20-year-old forward from Amherst

SUMMERSIDE – The Summerside Western Capitals added some size and experience up front on Tuesday.

Summerside Western Capitals

The Capitals acquired 20-year-old right-winger Ryan Caswell, along with a ninth-round draft pick, from the Amherst Ramblers in exchange for the MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League) playing rights to forwards Kari Belec and Sam Cameron, who were both drafted out of the New Brunswick/P.E.I. Major Midget Hockey League on June 7.

“He’s (Caswell) a 20-year-old that is hoping to be going to school here (at Holland College),” said Capitals general manager Pat McIver. “He’s going to be a good player. He was a really good player last year, and he will hopefully be an even better player this year.”

In 51 regular-season games with the Ramblers last season, the six-foot-one and 185-pound Caswell, who is from St. Stephen, N.B., recorded 43 points – 18 goals and 25 assists – and 48 penalty minutes.

“I like him a lot,” said McIver. “He plays with grit, has some skill, is a two-way player and is a hard-working player.

“Fans are going to love watching this kid play.”

Statistics

Belec, who had 26 points, including 11 goals, in 35 games with the Moncton Flyers last season was taken in the fourth round while Cameron was a ninth-round selection. In 34 regular-season games with the Fredericton Canadiens, Cameron had 24 points, including 11 goals.

“We gave up two pretty good prospects, and they may have two players for a total of eight years (four years each), but with our depth up front and the age of our forwards, it allowed us to make this deal,” said McIver, who added Caswell “is excited to come (to Summerside).”